Punching system



p 1963 R. N. BORRELLI ETAL 3,402,867

PUNCHING SYSTEM Original Filed Jan. 17, 196-4 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 DATAPROCESSING SYSTEM INVENTORSI RONALD N. BORRELLI RICHARD A. EDWARDSCHARLES A. LINDBERG HARRY F. NOLLER ROBERT LSTITT JAMES R.WILSON,JR.

BY ,ZKMW w, 711m;

AGENT Sept. 24, 1968 R. N. BORRELLI ETAL I 3,402,867

PUNCHING SYSTEM Original Filed Jan. 17, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 FORWARDFEED BACK FEED Original Filed Jan. 17, 1964 p 1968 R. N- BORRELLI ETAL3,402,867

PUNCHING SYSTEM 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 p 1968 R. N. BORRELLI ETAL 3,402,867

PUNCHING SYSTEM 8 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed Jan. 17, 1964 p 24, 1958R. NA BORRELLI ETAL 3,402,867

PUNCHING SYSTEM 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Jan. 17, 1964 I fTG-- p1968 R. N. BORRELLI ETAL 3,402,867

PUNCHING SYSTEM 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Jan. 17, 1964 Hnllhlnlllllll 'lllll'll Sept. 24, 1968 R. N. BORRELLI ETAL 3,402,867

PUNCHING SYSTEM Original Filed Jan. 17, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 BIS Sept.24, 1968 R. N. BORRELLI ETAL 3,402,867

PUNCHING SYSTEM 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed Jan. 17, 1964 UnitedStates Patent Oifice 3,402,867 Patented Sept. 24, 1968 3,402,867PUNCHING SYSTEM Ronald N. Borrelli, Moraga, Richard A. Edwards, WalnutCreek, Charles A. Lindberg, Meulo Park, Harry F. Noller, Moraga, RobertI. Stitt, Mountain View, and James R. Wilson, Jr., Berkeley, Calif.,assignors, by mesne assignments, to Control Data Corporation, acorporation of Minnesota Original application Jan. 17, 1964, Ser. No.338,359, now Patent No. 3,301,477, dated Jan. 31, 1967. Divided and thisapplication Sept. 29, 1966, Ser. No. 583,147

15 Claims. (Cl. 226-76) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mechanism isdisclosed for advancing tape, individual cards, or fanfold cards througha punching station. Control means operates for reverse feed of the tape.Selectively operable guide means coacts with the sprocket to drive tapebut is inactive for card feed. Indexing means coacts with clutch controlstructure for the feeding operation. Sprocket drive means is located inoffset relation with the sprocket holes and guide structure for properfeeding.

This application is a division of the patent, application Ser. No.338,359, filed Jan. 17, 1964, since matured into Patent No. 3,301,477,issued Jan. 31, 1967.

The invention relates to punching systems in which media may beperforated according to coded data received from a data source, and moreparticularly, the invention pertains to a high-speed asynchronouspunching system for punching tape, single cards, and fanfold cards.

Punching systems are used primarily in conjuction with data processingsystems for punching coded holes in a media in response to data in theform of electrical impulses transmitted thereto from a data processingsystem. Such data processing systems generally are capable of producingdata at rates which exceed the highest operating speeds of knownpunching systems. Consequently, a continual effort is being made toarrange punching systems for operation at higher speeds. Someconsiderations in obtaining higher operating speeds include reducing thenumber of parts to eliminate waste of time and power in starting andstopping masses of materials, using an arrangement in which thecomponents are as small as possible to further reduce the mass to bemoved, and using an arrangement of parts that require a minimum ofmovement to produce the desired result. In achieving the aforementionedconsiderations, it is desirable, in addition, to arrange a system thatis reliable and easily adjusted in accordance with modern standards ofquality and servieeability. Another consideration is to arrange apunching system having that ability to punch cards as well as tape, suchversatility enabling the system to punch media for use with the varioustypes of data processing systems available. Still other considerationsinclude arranging a system that is in physical proportion to the moderndata processing systems with which the punching system normally isoperated, i.e. it is desirable that the system be as compact aspossible. -In order that such devices may be manufactured as articles ofcommerce, it is necessary that all of the considerations mentioned beachieved at a low cost by means of an arrangement that is inherentlyinexpensive.

A main object is to provide a simplified means for controlling a tapetakeup reel.

Another object is to provide a tape system having control means that isresponsive to tape tension for controlling the speed of a tape takeupreel.

Another object is to provide a punching system that is easily adjusted.

Another object is to provide an improved feed mechanism requiring onlysimplified adjustment for smooth operation.

Another object is to arrange a feed mechanism comprising a drivingmember, a gear and a combined pivot and adjustment means for the drivingmember so as to permit fine adjustment of the driving member withrespect to the gear.

Another object is to arrange a punching system that feeds either tape orcards for perforation by the system.

Another object is to provide a gate having no moving parts for guidingtape in arcuate engagement with a sprocket and guiding cards intangential engagement with the sprocket.

Another object is to minimize the number, size and complexity of partsand components in a punching system in order that such a system may bemanufactured at a low cost.

Another object is to provide means for feeding card media from an indexposition to a position for engagement with normal feed means.

Another object is to provide a forward feed key for actuation ofmechanism for continuously feeding tape as long as the key is helddepressed and for automatically feeding cards upon momentary depressionof the key.

Another object is to lower a sprocket with respect to a referencesurface so as to force media engaged with the sprocket into engagementwith the surface, thereby maintaining holes punched in the media inalignment with a punching station.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description,given by way of example only, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a punching system shown for operationwith tape media.

FIG. 1A is a sectional view taken along lines 1A-1A of FIG. 1 showingthe relationship between a gate, a driving sprocket, a punching station,and tape media.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the punching system of FIG.1 shown operating with fanfold card media.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 2 showing therelationship between the gate, the sprocket, the punching station andcard media.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the punching system of FIG. 1 shownoperating with a single card.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view on a reduced scale showing mechanismfor driving and controlling a tape takeup reel.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of the drive sprocket showing therelationship of a tape guide and pressure spring carried by the gatewith respect to the sprocket.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front perspective view of a portion of the systemshowing a card positioned by index means in an index position withrespect to the punching station and the sprocket.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged bottom view of a feed mechanism partially in planand partially in perspective.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7A7A in FIG. 7illustrating a planetary gearing system for driving the feed mechanismand a novel fastening device for holding the planetary mechanismtogether.

FIG. 7B is a view of an eccentric adjustment for the feed mechanismtaken along lines 7B7B of FIG. 7.

FIG. 7C is an alternate embodiment of the eccentric adjustment mechanismof FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a delay clutch forsynchronizing the feed mechanism with the punches.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a mechanism for driving card media synchronouslywith punching before the media is engaged with the sprocket.

FIG. 9A is a sectional view taken along lines 9A-9A of FIG. 9 of pinchrollers used to drive card media from the index position into engagementwith the sprocket.

General description The present invention is shown embodied as apunching system in FIG. 1, which system is assembled into a cabinet 102.The system 100 may be connected to a data source such as a DataProcessing System 103 for receiving data therefrom for punching codeholes in tape or card media.

A supply reel 104 and a take-up reel 106 are shown in position on thecabinet with the supply reel beneath the take-up reel. The supply reelis loaded with a paper tape media 108 which is guided from the supplyreel 104 along a cabinet deck 109 by mean of tape guides 110 and 112through a gate 113 to a punching station comprising vertically arrangedpunches 114 (FIG. 1A) for punching coded holes in the tape. The tape isdriven towards the take-up reel by means of a sprocket 115, the take-upreel being driven to take up the tape. The tape 108 is guided from thegate 113 over a guide 116, a roller 118 mounted on a tape elevator arm120 and then around a tape guide 122 to the take-up reel 106. The roller118 is of such a diameter as to raise the tape from the level of thesupply reel to the level of the take-up reel. Alternatively, fanfoldcards 124 (FIG. 2) or single cards 126 (FIG. 3) may be fed through thegate, instead of a tape 108, for punching along the edge of the card.

Four control keys are provided at the front of the cabinet 102 (FIG. 1)for control of various functions of the punch. A forward feed key 128 isprovided for control of forward feeding either tape or card mediawithout punching information holes in the media. With tape mediainserted into the machine, depression of the feed key 128 causes thetape to be fed as long as the key is held depressed. With fanfold cardmedia inserted into the machine, the media is fed without punchinginformation holes as long as the key 128 is held depressed. In addition,however, momentary depression of the feed key 128 causes automaticforward feeding of fanfold cards until the next card is driven to anindex position where a hole 130 is detected to cause the feeding tostop. In the case of a single card, the card will forward feedautomatically upon momentary depression of key 128 until the trailingend of the card is sensed.

A back feed key 132 is provided for back spacing either card or tapemedia one code space for each depression of the key.

A sprocket hole key 134 is a two position key that is provided forcontrolling punching of a sprocket hole in either the tape or cardmedia. With the key 134 depressed, a sprocket hole punch is activated topunch a sprocket hole whenever the media is fed forward. With the key134 raised, no sprocket hole is punched.

A card lock key 136 is provided for controlling the advance of either asingle card 'or the first card of a series of fanfold cards from anindex position to a position of engagement of the card sprocket holeswith the sprocket 115. Initially, each single card or the first card ofa series of fanfold cards manually is inserted in the gate 113 in theindex position. Depression of the card lock key 136 causes automaticengagement of a pair of pinch rollers with the card for driving the carduntil the card is far enough rightward for engagement of the sprocketholes with the sprocket.

An on-olf toggle switch 138 is provided beneath the front of the cabinetfor control of power to a drive motor 140 (FIG. 4). With the motorenergized, a pulley 142 is continuously driven by means of a belt 144and a gearing arrangement connected to the motor shaft. The continuouslyrotated gear 142 is provided for driving a shaft 146 to which thetake-up reel 106 is connected. The shaft and reel are drivenintermittently through a clutch assem bly 148 that is responsive to tapetension. The supply reel 104 is freely mounted on the shaft 146 andrides on a felt .4 washer 150 located between the bottom plate of thereel 104 and the cabinet 102. The felt washer is mounted around a hub151 that extends upwardly from the cabinet deck 109 and provides aslight drag on the supply reel when the tape 108 is pulled therefrom.The drag prevents excessive unwinding of the tape when the tape isdriven forward, yet is light enough to prevent breaking or tearing ofthe tape.

Tape reels The manner in which the supply reel 104 and the takeup reel106 are stacked on the cabinet 102 and the means for driving the take-upreel are best shown in an expanded view in FIG. 4. The supply reel 104comprises a single lower plate having a recessed hub 152 integraltherewith which is freely mounted on the shaft 146. A roll of the papertape 108 fits over the hub 152. The hub 152 is arranged to receive thehub 151 that extends upwardly from the cabinet frame.

The take-up reel 106 comprises both an upper and lower plate which arereleasably held together by suitable means not shown. A centralhexagonal hOle is formed in each of the plates of the take-up reel forreceiving the upper end of the shaft 146 which is hexagonally formed formating engagement with the holes. The lower plate of the take-up reel106 rides on the hub 152 that extends upwardly from the supply reel 104.The hub 152 extends slightly above the roll of tape, providing clearancebetween the lower plate of the take-up reel and the tape 108 on thesupply reel 104.

Upon movement of the on-off switch 138 (FIG. 1) to the on position, themotor 140 (FIG. 4) is energized for continuous rotation. With the motorrotating, the clutch assembly 148 continuously tends to drive the shaft146 and the take-up reel 106 counterclockwise (CCW). Power is suppliedto the pulley 142 from the motor by means of gears 154 and 156, pulley158, and belt 144. The pulley 142 is freely mounted on the shaft 146 andis continuously driven CCW as long as the motor 140 remains on. A pairof felt disks and 162 are connected to the pulley 142 by conventionalmeans not shown.

One means for connecting the disks to the pulley utilizes pins whichextend through the pulley 142 into each of the disks 160 and 162 therebydriving the disks with the pulley. A metal disk 164 is slidably keyed tothe shaft 146 for engagement with the lower felt disk 162. The metaldisk 164 is urged into engagement with the felt disk 162 by means of aspring 166 that is held in place by a nut 168. A ratchet wheel 170 ismounted on the shaft 146 for engagement with the upper disk 160. Thewheel 170 also is keyed to the shaft 146 but is prevented from movementupward by means of a retaining washer 172 lying against a shoulder ofthe shaft. The spring 166 forces the entire clutch assembly 148 togetherso that the felt disks 160 and 162 tend to drive the shaft 146 throughengagement with the ratchet wheel 170 and metal disk 162 respectively.The take-up reel 106 is driven by the hexagonal end of shaft 146 at aspeed which causes the take-up reel to rotate slightly faster than themaximum speed at which the tape 108 can be fed by the s rocket 115 (FIG.1A). This causes the tape 108 (FIG. 1) that is between the take-up reel106 and the sprocket 115 to become tight. Sulficient tightness in thislength of tape creates a tension which tends to pull the roller 118forward. The roller 118 is mounted on the arm 120 (FIG. 4) which ispivoted on the cabinet frame. The arm 120 and roller 118 are urgedrearwardly by means of a spring 174 connected at respective ends to apost 176 extending from the cabinet frame and a post 186 extendingdownwardly from a lever 184, the spring exerting tension on a post 178on arm 180 which is engaged with the control arm 120. The lever 180 ispivoted on an upwardly extending frame shaft 182 to which the pawl 184also is pivoted. The spring 174 tends to pull the pawl 184 and lever 180in opposite directions until an arm 188 of the pawl 184 engages thedownward extending post 178 on the lever 180. The entire assembly isurged CCW thereby and the arm 120 and roller 118 rearward. When thelength of the tape between the sprocket 115 and the roller 118 is pulledtight through rotation of the reel 106, the arm 120 is forced forward bythe tape, driving the lever 180 and pawl 184 clockwise (CW) on the shaft182. An ear 190 on the pawl 184 is provided for engagement with theteeth of the ratchet wheel 170. Whenever the tape is pulled sufficientlytight, the arm 120 and pawl 184 are rocked far enough for the ear 190 toengage the ratchet wheel teeth and thereby prevent further rotation ofthe shaft 146 and the take-up reel 106. During the period of engagementof the car 190 with the ratchet teeth, the felt disks 160 and 162 slipwith respect to the rachet wheel 170 and the metal disk 164. Aftersufficient tape 108 is fed by means of the sprocket, the tension in thetape is relieved, permitting the spring 174 to pull the lever 180 andpawl 184 CCW, disengaging the ear 190 from the ratchet 170 and rockingthe arm 120 rearward. With the ratchet 170 free to rotate, the feltdisks 160 and 162 drive the shaft 146 and take-up reel 106 until tensionis again produced in the tape 108 sufficient to cause the pawl 184 tore-engage with the ratchet.

When the tape 108 is back-fed upon depression of the back feed key 132,consequent tension in the tape forces the pawl car 190 into engagementwith the ratchet 170, stopping rotation of the reel 106. The arm 120,however, is free to move further forward, expanding the spring 174,until a stud 192 on the arm 120 engages a detent spring 193 secured tothe cabinet frame. The stud 192 is not detented over the spring 193 butis only stopped by it. The length of tape that may be back-fed may beadjusted by positioning the detent 193 with respect to the stud 192.

When the punch system 100 is used for punching cards, rotation of thetakeup reel 106 may be stopped by manually pulling the arm 120 forwarduntil the stud 192 detents over the spring 193. This forces the pawl 184into engagement with the. ratchet 170, stopping rotation of the shaft146 and takeup reel 106. This causes the felt disks 160 and 162 tocontinuously slip with respect to the ratchet wheel 170 and the metaldisk 164.

Gate assembly A gate assembly 194 (FIGS. 1A and 2A) is provided forholding tape 108 (FIG. 1A) in arcuate engagement with the sprocket 115or for holding either cards 124 (FIG. 2A) or 126 (FIG. 3) in tangentialengagement with the sprocket. The sprocket 115 (FIG. 5) is an integralunit that is force fitted to a shaft 195 and comprises disks 196 withgrooves 197 formed therebetween, and a toothed disk 198 with teethextending therefrom for engagement with sprocket holes in the media.

Prior to insertion of the tape into the system 100, a detent releasebutton 199 is depressed to release the gate 113 and gate assembly 194from the position shown in FIG. 1 for movement forward. The gate ispivoted on the cabinet by means of a shaft 200 that is embedded in thegate and extends therefrom into a mating hole in the cabinet. The tape108 is then inserted in a slot in a die block 202 (FIGS. 1A and 6). Thedie block 202 receives and guides the vertically aligned punches 114 inholes 206. With the gate 113 open the tape is placed in front of thesprocket 115 and then around the guide 116 (FIG.

1), the roller 118 and the guide 122 into the take-up reel 106. Uponclosure of the gate 113'to the position shown in FIG. 1 where the gateis maintained by means of the detent (not shown), a tape pressure guide208 (FIGS. 1A and 5) forces and hold the tape 108 against the sprocket115 in arcuate engagement therewith.

The tape pressure guide 208 is carried on the gate 113 by means of ashaft 210, extending upwardly from an extension 212 of the gate locatedbelow the level of the deck 109. The guide 208 comprises fingers 214extending there from for mating with the grooves 197 in the sprocket. A

media pressure spring 218 is mounted in a cavity in the gate 113 inengagement with the guide 208, urging the guide CW (FIG. 1A). With thetape in place, the spring 218 forces the guide 208 against the tape 108to firmly hold the tape in arcuate engagement with the sprocket disks196 and 198.

Instead of tape 108, a card 124 may be engaged with the sprocket 115 bymeans of the gate assembly 194 as shown in FIG. 2A. When the card isplaced in the system the gate is in the closed position shown in FIG. 2;and the card is inserted in an index position as shown in FIG. 6,against a slide 220 which stands above, and does not interfere with, thetape. Upon depression of the card lock key 136 (FIG. 1), the slide 220is forced clear of the card 126, by means hereinafter described. Thenthe car-d is engaged with a pair of pinch rollers, also discussedhereinafter. Upon receipt of data from the Data Processing System 103,the card 126 is fed by the pinch rollers until the card is moved farenough rightward to engage the sprocket 115, at which time the pinchrollers are disengaged from the card to enable the sprocket tothereafter feed the card. Prior to engagement of the card with thesprocket, the spring 218 forces the tape pressure guide 208 into themating slots 197 (FIG. 5) in the sprocket to the position shown in FIG.2A. As the card 126 is driven rightward, the leading edge of the cardengages a flared portion 222 of the spring 218, leaving the tapepressure guide 208 in the slots 197 while the spring 218 is movedoutward by the card. The card thereafter is held by the spring 218 intangential engagement with the sprocket disks 197 and 198.

A novel punch drive mechanism is disclosed in the previously mentionedapplication and comprises, in part, a spring clutch which is engagedupon energization of an appropriate solenoid. After the clutch has beendriven the appropriate amount to effect the punching operation by meansof clutch driven cams and followers, the clutch is automaticallydisengaged. The clutches for driving tape or card media in a forward orbackward direction are similar to the above mentioned clutches for thepunches, and reference may be had to the previously mentionedapplication, incorporated herein by reference thereto, for a morecomplete understanding of the specific clutching mechanism.

Feed mechanism A feed mechanism 290' (FIG. 7) is provided for drivingthe sprocket 115 (FIG. 1A) to feed card and tape media either forward orbackward, FIG. 7 being a bottom view. Upon energization of a forwardfeed solenoid 292 (FIG. 7), by means described hereinafter, the sprocket115 is driven by the feed mechanism one tooth space in the CCW (FIG. 1A)direction to feed the media one code space forward (toward the right asseen in FIG. 1A). Upon energization of a back feed solenoid 294 (FIG. 7)by means discussed hereinafter, the sprocket wheel 115 is driven onetooth space in the CW direction (FIG. 1A) to feed the media one codespace backward or leftward.

A forward feed clutch 296 is mounted on the continuously rotated shaft245 (FIG. 4) and normally is restrained from movement with the shaft byan armature 298 (FIG. 7) associated with the forward feed clutch 296 isidentical in principle with that of the punch clutches (disclosed in thepreviously identified application). A ratchet wheel 30'] has three teethspaced apart. The hub 304 is mounted on the shaft 245 and is formed withnotches for receiving the forked ends of a bushing 309 also mounted onthe shaft 245. The bushing 309 is integral with a planetary gear carrier311 of a planetary gearing assembly 313. (See also FIG. 7.) The carrier311 carries a pair of pivots for planet gears 314 and 315. The planetgears are in engagement both with a sun gear 317 and the internal teethof a ring gear 319. Sun gear 317 is freely mounted on shaft 235 and thering gear 319 is freely mounted on the bushing 309. Integral with thesun gear 317 is a cam 321 having a stud 323 extending therefrom intoengagement with a slot in a driver 325. The driver is urged downward(FIG. 7) by a spring 327, normally holding an ear 329 on the driver inengagement with a tooth space of a gear 331 which is integral with thesprocket shaft 195 (FIGS. 1A and 5).

Upon energization of the forward feed solenoid 292 (FIG. 7) the forwardfeed clutch 296 is released for a one-third revolution CCW. The ringgear 319 has external teeth meshing with gear 335 and normally is heldstationary by means of a disengaged, or blocked, back feed clutch 333geared to gear 336 and 337. The ratio between the ring gear 319, theplanet gears 314 and 315, and the sun gear 317 is such that one-third ofa revolution of the ratchet wheel 307 and planetary gear carrier 311causes the sun gear 317 to make one complete revolution in the CCWdirection (FIG. 7). Since the cam 321 and stud 323 are integral with thesun gear, the cam and stud are carried one complete revolution, theperipheral surface of cam 321 engages an car 339 on the upper end of thedriver 325, forcing the driver upwardly. The ear 329 is carried therebyout of engagement with the gear 331. The lower end of the driver isformed with a slot which is pivoted about a stationary stud 341 of aneccentric adjustment arrangement, presently described, stud 341 beingnearly coaxial with the sprocket shaft 195 (FIG. 5). As the cam 321 isrotated CCW, the driver 325 is not only raised by the high portion ofthe cam, but it is pivoted CCW about the shaft 341 by means of the stud323 which is integral with the cam. As the high portion of the cam movesdownwardly and away from the ear 339, the spring 327 pulls the 329A, inengagement with the next tooth in the gear 331. At this point the camhas completed one-half of a revolution and continues through theremainder of the revolution with the high portion of the cam out ofengagement with the ear 339. The stud 323, however, continues to bedriven CCW, driving against the mating slot in the driver 325. The ear329 is driven thereby from the position 329A to the original position,having driven gear 331 one tooth space CW to forward feed the media onecode space. The slot in driver 325 comprises an arcuate portion which isconcentric to the path of the stud 323, which portion is originallyadjusted to be centrally contacted -by the stud when in the positionshown. This permits the stud to bounce upon return to the normalposition and otherwise be out of normal position without moving thedriver 325.

A centralizer which comprises a lever 343, a roller 345, and a spring347 is provided for maintaining the sprocket 115 centralized during theperiod that the ear 329 is out of engagement with the gear 331. Thelever 343 is freely mounted on a sleeve 348 by means of a set screw 349into the frame. The inside diameter of the sleeve is larger than theoutside diameter of the set screw to permit a-uto matic adjustment ofthe centralizer with respect to the gear 331. When the screw 349 isloosened, the sprocket 115 and centralizer are set to an adjustedposition in which sprocket holes punched in tape or card media preciselyengage the teeth of the sprocket.

An eccentric adjustment arrangement is provided for precisely adjustingthe position of the car 329 with respect to the tooth spaces on the gear331 after the sprocket is adjusted. A side view of the arrangement takenalong lines 7B7B is shown in FIG. 7B. The arrangement comprises anadjusting lever 350 (FIG. 7) having an arcuate slot in engagement withthe set screw 349. The lever 350 is held by the screw against the sleeve348. The screw 349 may be loosened to move the lever 350 for adjustmentand then tightened to maintain the lever in the adjusted position. Thestud 341 (FIG. 7B) extends downward from the lever 350 into engagementwith the slot in the driver 325 to provide a pivot for the driver. Asmaller stud 352, eccentric to the stud 341, extends down- 8 ward into amating hole in the center of the sprocket shaft 195.

Thus, CCW movement of the lever 350 (FIG. 7) from the centralizedposition shown moves the driver ear 329 leftward. Clockwise movement ofthe lever 350 moves the ear 329 rightward. This arrangement, with theear 329 between two pivot joints, i.e. studs 323 and 341, permits a veryfine adjustment of the ear 329 with respect to the gear 331. Such anarrangement is possible only by making the stud 341 a combined pivot andpart of an eccentric adjustment. An alternate embodiment of theeccentric adjustment is shown in FIG. 7C where a stud extends upwardfrom the center of the shaft 195 into an eccentric mating hole in thestud 341.

The feed mechanism 290' is used also to back feed the media one codespace upon depression of-the back feed key 132 (FIG. 1). Depression ofthe back feed key closes a switch 354 (FIG. 7) to the back feed solenoid294. When the solenoid is energized, an associated armature 356 is movedout of engagement with a single tooth ratchet 357 of the back feedclutch 333. The clutch is released thereby for a \full revolution in theCW direction. If, however, the back feed key 132 is not raised by thetime the clutch 333 completes a half revolution, the switch 354 remainsclosed and the solenoid 294 remains energized. With the armature 356actuated thereby, an arm 358 attached to the armature is CW, in the pathof the single tooth on the clutch ratchet 357. Thus, the ratchet cannotcomplete a revolution While the key 132 remains depressed. Thisarrangement prevents the feed mechanism 290 from feeding the media morethan one code space for each depression of the back feed key 132.

The back feed clutch 333 is identical in principle of operation to theforward feed clutch 296 (FIG. 7) discussed hereinbefore. The back feedclutch comprises the single tooth ratchet 357, in which one end of aclutch spring (not shown) is anchored, and a flanged bushing 360 inwhich the other end of the spring is anchored. The bushing 360 is freelymounted on the rotating shaft 235 and mates by means of a pair of teeth361 with a bushing that is integral with the gear 337. During CWrotation of the back feed clutch 333, the ring gear 319 is driven CCWthrough a gear train comprising gears 337, 336, and 335. Since theplanetary gear carrier 311 is held stationary by means of the armature298 acting through the clutch 296, the sun gear 317 is driven CW throughthe planetary gears 314 and 315. The ratio of the gear teeth is suchthat one revolution of the back feed clutch 333 drives the sun gear 317one complete revolution in the CW direction from the position shown.

During the CW revolution of the sun gear, the earn 321 and stud 323 arecarried GW therewith. At the beginning of the revolution, the stud 323drives against the slot in the driver 325, pivoting the driver CCW aboutthe stud 341. The ear 329 is carried thereby from the position shown tothe position 329A, during which movement it is held in engagement withthe gear 331 by the spring 327. The sprocket 115 (FIG. 1A) is driventhereby one tooth space in the CW direction, feeding the media one codespace backward. During the second half of the revolution of the sun gear317, the cam 321 engages the ear 339 on the driver 325 carrying thedriver upward and the ear 329 out of engagement with the gear 331. Thestud 323 then pivots the driver 325 CW about the stud 341. As the highportion of the cam moves away from the ear 339, the spring 327 bringsthe ear 329 back into engagement with the next tooth space on the gear331.

Early models of the feed mechanism 290, wherein the punch and feedsolenoids were energized simultaneously, were operated satisfactorily'within the system since the forward feed of drive ear 329 did not movegear 331 until after the punches were withdrawn from the punch die. Inorder to meet manufacturing tolerances, however, it was found necessaryto delay the time at which the clutch 296 is engaged to prevent themedia from being fed while the punches 114 might possibly still beengaged with the media. One mode of delay used to meet the problem wasby means to retard the pulse which energizes the forward feed solenoid292. Another mode of delay is by mechanical means such as shown in FIG.8.

In FIG. 8, the clutch 296 is shown disengaged by means of a shoulder 362in a lever 363 which is provided in place of the armature 298 in FIG. 7.The lever 363 has a follower 365 in engagement with a cam of a clutch367 which is of the same type as discussed hereinbefore. The clutchesare freely mounted side by side on the shaft 235. The clutch 367normally is held disengaged from the shaft 235 by the armature 298(FIGS. 7 and 8). Upon energization of the solenoid 292, the clutch 367is engaged with the shaft 235 for a quarter revolution CCW.Approximately midway through the quarter revolution, the follower 365and lever 363 are driven CCW, disengaging the shoulder 362 from theratchet 307. The clutch 296 is engaged thereby with the shaft 235 aftera delayed period to actuate the feed mechanism 290. This delayed periodallows sufiicient time for the punches 114 to be withdrawn from themedia before the media is fed.

Ofiset sprocket In early models of the invention it was found that as acard such as 124 (FIG. 2) or 126 (-FIG. 3) was fed forward, it had atendency to rise from the guiding surface or deck 109, causing holes tobe punched out of place on the card. Originally, the teeth of thesprocket 115 (FIG. 5) were precisely centered in the sprocket holes ofthe card to theoretically cause the lower edge of the card to ride onthe deck 109. It proved very costly, however, to manufacture a deck 109flat enough to prevent the cards from rising. This difficulty wasovercome successfully by offsetting the sprocket teeth toward the deck109 by a slight amount. A satisfactory offset was found to be .003 inch.Such an offset was found sufiicient to cause the card to be forcedagainst the deck 109 at all times regardless of any irregularities inthe deck but was not suflicient to tear or mutilate the sprocket holesin either card or tape media.

Card lock and feed A card lock and feed mechanism 385 (FIG. 9) isprovided for feeding a card forward by means of an auxiliary feedingmeans from an index position into engagement with the sprocket 115. Thecard may be either an individual card 126 (FIG. 3) or the first card ofa series of fanfold cards 124 (FIG. 2), the card 124 being shown in theindex position in FIG. 9. In either case, the card is inserted betweenthe gate 113 and the front of the cabinet 102 with the lower part of thecard against the deck 109 and the leading edge of the card against aslide 220 (FIGS. 6 and 9). With the card so positioned, it is ready forthe first holes to be punched by the punches 114. As shown in FIG. 9,the sprocket 115 is some distance rightward from the leading edge of thecard 124 so that the card is not ready to engage the sprocket even afterone or two holes are punched into the card. In order to feed the cardrightward far enough for engagement of the card with the sprocket topermit the sprocket to drive the card after the first few holes arepunched, the card lock and feed mechanism 385 must first be actuated.

,After the card is indexed, but before the punches are actuated, thecard lock key 136 (FIG. 1) is depressed. A card lock solenoid 387 isenergized thereby, causing an associated armature 389 to pivot CCW.Normally, the armature 389 is engaged with a single tooth 390 of aratchet 391. The ratchet 391 is part of a clutch 393 that is mounted onthe continuously rotated shaft 235. A cam 395 is assembled into theclutch so that upon disengagement of the armature 389 with the tooth390, the cam 395 is driven CCW. A follower 397 is keyed to a shaft 399and is urged CW by means of a spring 400 into engagement with the cam395. A stud 402 extends from a lower end of the follower 397 intoengagement with a camming slot 404 in a cam lever 406, the cam leverbeing freely mounted on a frame shaft 408. When the cam 395 is drivenCCW, the stud 402 is forced CCW in the camming slot 404, forcing the camlever 406 CCW. A knurled pinch roller 410 is mounted on the end of thelever 406 and is carried therewith firmly against the card 124. The card124 is held tightly thereby between a pinch roller 412 and the knurledroller 410. When the stud 402 is carried fully CCW, it is in a positionto the right of a shoulder 414 in a latch 416 also freely mounted on theshaft 408. A spring 418 urges the latch 416 CCW so that when the stud402 is rightward of the shoulder 414 the latch 416 is moved slightly CCWby the spring 418, bringing the shoulder 414 to the left of the stud402. The follower 397 is prevented thereby from being returned by thespring 400 to the position shown. With the follower 397 fully CCW, theknurled pinch roller 410 is locked in a position to hold the card 124between the pinch rollers 410 and 412.

When the follower 397 is rocked CCW by the cam 395 as discussed above,the follower rocks the shaft 399 CCW, carrying a lever 420, also keyedto the shaft 399, CCW therewith. The right end of the lever 420 isdriven against a stud 422 extending downward from the card stop slide220 (as seen in the top view-FIG. 9) driving the slide rearward andclear of the card 124 to a position 220-A.

With the card 124 locked between the pinch rollers 410 and 412, thesystem (FIG. 1) is ready to punch data received from the data source103. Upon receiving such data, punching is commenced and the sprocketwheel is driven in the manner discussed hereinbefore. The pinch roller412 is the same diameter as the sprocket disk 196 and is integral with ashaft 424 to which a gear 426 (FIG. 7) is keyed. The gear 426 is drivenat a one to one ratio by means of the idler gear 286 which in turn isdriven by the gear 288 which is fixed to the shaft 195. Since shaft 195and the sprocket are driven also by means of the gear 331, the pinchroller is advanced one code space each time the sprocket 115 is driven.The card 124 is driven by means of the pinch roller 412 until the cardis far enough rightward for the sprocket holes to engage the sprocket,at which time the knurled pinch roller 410 is disengaged from the card.

Such disengagement is caused by means of a protrusion 428 which extendsfrom the lower end of the roller 410 (FIGS. 9 and 9A). Normally, theprotrusion 428 rests against a stud 430 extending upward from the cam406. Each time the card 124 is advanced rightward, however, the roller410 is rotated CW, carrying the protrusion 428 CW therewith. Afterengagement of the sprocket holes with the sprocket 115, the protrusion428 is in a position to engage the latch 416. Further rightward advanceof the card 124 and CW rotation of the roller 410 drives the protrusion428 against the latch 416, forcing the latch CW. This movement of thelatch 416 lowers the shoulder 414 away from the stud 402 on the follower397, permitting the spring 400 to rock the follower CW to the positionshown. As the follower 397 is rocked CW, the cam lever 406 is cammed CWby means of the stud 402, carrying the knurled pinch roller 410 awayfrom the card 124. The card is released thereby from engagement with therollers 410 and 412 and thereafter is driven solely by the sprocket 115.

Upon disengagement of the roller 410 with the card, the roller isrestored to the position shown by means of a spring 432 (FIG. 9A). Thespring 432 is mounted on a stud 434 extending upward from the cam lever406. The spring 432 is wound about the stud 434 and is internal to theroller 410, shown cut away in FIG. 9A. The upper end of the spring 432is anchored in a slotted upper end of the stud 434, while the lower endof the spring is anchored in a slot in the lower end of the roller 410.Thus, the spring 432 urges the roller 410 CCW (FIG. 9). When the roller410 is engaged with the card 124, the spring 432 is driven somewhattighter upon advancement of the card so that upon disengagement of theroller with the card, the roller is free to rotate CCW to the positionshown with the protrusion 428 against the stud 430.

Solenoid and feed circuit The punches 114 (FIG. 1A) may be actuated forpunching either tape 108 (FIG. 1), cards 124 (FIG. 2) or 126 (FIG. 3) inresponse to data in the form of coded electrical signals received from adata source such as the data processing system 103 (FIG. 1). The dataprocessing system 103 is of the type in which the coded electricalsignals successively appear in parallel channels at the output of thesystem.

The forward feed solenoid 292 (FIG. 7) is energized each time a strobesignal is applied, causing the media to be fed one code space forward inthe manner discussed hereinbefore.

A sprocket hole punching solenoid (not shown herein) is associated witha clutch and punch similar to punch 114 (FIG. 2). The sprocket punch,however, is slightly smaller than the punches 114. The two-positionsprocket hole key 134 (FIG. 1) is provided to operate a switch so thatthe sprocket solenoid is energized whenever a strobe signal is appliedto punch a sprocket hole in the media.

The forward feed key 128 (FIG. 1) is provided for controlling forwardfeeding of the tape 108, fanfold cards 124 (FIG. 2) or single cards 126(FIG. 3) as long as the key is held down. In the case of a single cardor fanfold card, however, a single depression of the forward feed key128 merely causes the feed mechanism 290 (FIG. 7) to automatically feeda single card until the trailing end of the card is sensed by thesensing lever 478 (FIG. 6) or to feed fanfold cards until the index hole130 in the next card is sensed by a hole sensing lever 478. In the caseof single cards, several code spaces remain for punching when thetrailing edge of the card is sensed and the card may be advanced to theend by holding the feed key down. In the case of fanfold cards, the nextcard is in a position for punching in the first code space when the hole130 is sensed. Whenever the forward feed key 128 is depressed, one ormore strobe signals are produced and cause the feed mechanism 290 (FIG.7) to forward feed the media in the manner discussed hereinbefore.Normally, however, the forward feed key stands in raised position sothat strobe signals are available only from the strobe circuit.

When the system 100 is operated with fanfold cards 124, momentarydepression of the forward feed key 128 causes the card to beautomatically fed forward until the next card is in position. Suchautomatic feed control is by means of the hole sensing switch 470 (FIG.6). With tape in the system 100, for example, the lever 478 is clear ofthe tape and therefore remains closed. Insertion of the first of aseries of fanfold cards 124 to the index position as shown in FIG. 6positions a sensing hole 130 opposite the hole sensing lever 478. Withthe card in the index position therefore, the switch 470 remains closed.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a machine utilizing a length of tape on which information is to berecorded, having:

(a) a reel for receiving the tape;

(b) means for feeding said tape in a forward direction to said reel;

(c) means for normally driving said reel to take up said tape fasterthan the tape is fed by said feeding means;

(d) control means engaged with said tape and normally in a controlcondition responsive to a tension of said tape to disable said drivingmeans to thereby permit said feeding means to feed said tape and relievethe tension, characterized by the control means cOmprising a tape pathlengthening and shortening means and said feeding means being operableto feed said tape in a backward direction opposite to said forwarddirection whereupon the tape is tensed to cause said control means todisable said driving means, said control means being movable by saidtensed tape in a tape path shortening direction to permit a substantialnumber of backspaces.

2. In a machine according to claim 1 wherein said control means may bemanually moved to a stable position to disable said driving means.

3. In a punching device for punching holes in tape and card media, thecombination of:

(a) means for driving said media;

(b) a gate held adjacent said driving means;

(c) first means carried by said gate for guiding said tape media in afirst path in arcuate engagement with said driving means; and

(d) second means carried by said gate and adjacent said first means formoving said first means, in the absence of said tape media, to aposition to permit said second means to guide said card media in asecond path in tangential engagement with said driving means.

4. In a punching device for punching holes in tape and card media, thecombination of:

(a) a sprocket for driving said media, said sprocket comprising a bodywith sprocket teeth extending therefrom into engagement with matingpunched holes in one of said media;

(b) a plurality of grooves in said body;

(c) a gate held adjacent said sprocket;

(d) a tape pressure guide carried by said gate and having fingersextending therefrom for holding said tape media in arcuate engagementwith said sprocket body and said sprocket teeth; and

(e) spring member carried by said gate said member being flared toreceive card media between said spring and tape pressure guide, saidtape pressure guide fingers entering said grooves in the sprocket bodyto permit the card to tangentially engage said body and sprocket teeth.

5. In a punching device according to claim 4 wherein said tape pressureguide, including said fingers comprises an inner surface that engagesthe tape and holds the tape in arcuate engagement with said sprocket,and which guide further comprises an outer surface which, in the absenceof tape, is tangential to said sprocket with said fingers entering saidgrooves.

6. In a card handling device wherein a card having sprocket holes isdriven from one location to another, the combination of:

(a) a sprocket with teeth extending therefrom for engagement with saidsprocket holes in the card;

(b) means for driving said sprocket to move the card from one locationto another;

(c) a guiding surface in engagement with one edge of the card to guidethe card in the direction of said movement; and

(d) means for maintaining said sprocket offset from the precise centerof said sprocket holes towards said guiding surface, said offsetsprocket causing said teeth to engage the edge of the sprocket holes toforce the card against the guiding surface.

7. A card handling device according to claim 6 wherein said sprocketcomprises a single set of teeth.

8. A card handling device according to claim 6 wherein the offset ofsaid sprocket teeth from the center of said sprocket holes is 0.003inch.

9. In a card punching system having a punching station for punchingholes in a card, said card normally being fed from one code position toanother by means of a main feeding means which comprises a sprocketengaged with sprocket holes in the card, the combination of:

(a) means for indexing said card with respect to said punching stationwherein the card sprocket holes are not engaged with the sprocket;

(b) an armature;

(c) a clutch normally held disengaged from a source of power by means ofsaid armature;

(d) a solenoid;

(e) means for energizing said solenoid to move said armature away fromsaid clutch to permit said clutch to engage with said source of power;

(f) cam means integral with said clutch and driven therewith by saidsource of power;

(g) a follower-lever mechanism engaged with said cam and driven thereby;

(h) an auxiliary feeding means connected to said main feeding means andactuated thereby; and

(i) card locking means mounted on said mechanism and carried thereby,upon engagement of said clutch, against said card to hold the card inlooking engagement with the auxiliary feeding means to feed said cardforward from said index position to a position of engagement with saidsprocket.

10. A card punching system according to claim 9 wherein said indexingmeans blocks said card in said index position, comprising: means engagedwith said follower-lever mechanism and said indexing means to move andmaintain said indexing means clear of said card.

11. In a card punching system according to claim 9, comprising meansoperable by said auxiliary feeding means to release said card lockingmeans from engagement with said card upon predetermined movement of thecard to a position of engagement with said sprocket.

12. In a card punching system having a punching station for punchingholes in a card, said card normally being fed from one code position toanother by means of a main feeding means comprising a sprocket engagedwith sprocket holes in the card, the combination of:

(a) means for indexing said card with respect to said punching station;

(b) an armature;

(c) a source of power;

((1) a clutch normally held disengaged from said source of power bymeans of said armature;

(e) a solenoid;

(f) means for energizing said solenoid to move said armature away fromsaid clutch to permit said clutch to engage with said source of power;

(g) cam means integral with said clutch and driven therewith by saidsource of power;

(h) a follower normally engaged with said cam;

(i) a cam lever engaged with said follower and operated thereby;

(j) a roller mounted on said cam lever and carried thereby, against saidcard upon actuation of said follower by said cam;

(k) a latch operable upon movement of said roller 14 against said cardto latch said follower and lock said roller in position against saidcard; (1) an auxiliary feeding means connected to said main feedingmeans and actuated thereby, said auxiliary means being positionedopposite said roller to hold said card therebetween upon movement ofsaid roller against said card;

(In) means for actuating said main feeding means and thereby saidauxiliary feeding means to move said card from said index position to aposition of engagement with said sprocket, said roller rotating awayfrom an initial position during movement of said card;

(n) an ear extending from said roller, said ear being rotated from saidinitial position to a position against said latch to drive said latchfrom engagement with said follower upon predetermined movement of saidcard to a position of engagement with said sprocket, said follower beingreleased thereby from engagement with said latch to permit the roller tomove away from said card, thereby releasing said card from saidauxiliary driving means,

13. In a card punching machine comprising means located at a punchingstation for punching data representing holes in a series of cardsattached to one another, the combination of:

(a) a feed key;

(b) an index representation on each of said cards;

(c) means for sensing said index representation when a card is in anindex position relative to the punching station; (d) feed meansresponsive to depression of said feed key to continuously feed saidcards; and (e) means responsive to a sensing of an index representationby said sensing means to automatically stop the operation of said feedmeans.

14. In a card punching machine according to claim 13 wherein said feedmeans is responsive to depression of said feed key to continuously feedsaid cards past said punching station and said sensing means as long assaid feed key is held depressed.

15. In a card punching machine according to claim 14 which is adaptableto receive and punch tape, wherein said feed means is operable upondepression of said feed key to feed said tape as long as the feed key isheld depressed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS r 400,998 4/1889 Bill 242-52,017,655 10/1935 Decker 24275.5 X

EDWARD A. SROKA, Primary Examiner.

